Jon Morgan - Head of Group Retail Development

Having originally spent over five years with another major greeting card organisation, both in the sales force and latterly in their Retail Development Division in a consultancy role, Jon then opened his own specialist greeting card & gift shop in Dover.  Within three years, Jon had established a mini chain of six shops throughout the southern counties.  During this time, Jon also started a shop fitting & design company, completing numerous projects around the country for independent retailers.  Jon also created and marketed a range of specialist gift-wrap, & imported gift products from Europe for resale in the UK.  Since then, Jon has provided a consultancy service to various businesses, being involved in 'start-ups', business expansions & relocation schemes.  Additionally, Jon has owned & operated several businesses outside the greeting card industry.  Now working with UKG and recently appointed as Head of Group Retail Development, Jon is back in the role he at last realises is the best job in the industry!  Along with his colleagues, Jon is focused on expanding the From the Heart concept throughout the UK and Ireland.

Ron Bridger - Retail Development: South East, Central UK

Ron has been involved in the greeting card industry since 1971, when he joined Hallmark as a salesman.  In 1973 he became one of the first people to join the, then new, Retail Development division, in which he worked until 1988.  During his time, Ron worked for several years on secondment to Hallmark's French company and oversaw the development of a number of card shops in France and Belgium.  In 1986 Ron became Hallmark's Estate Manager, and was responsible for site acquisition, working with developers and agents throughout the country.  In 1988, Ron left Hallmark to pursue interests in shop fitting and related industries. In 1998, Ron was invited to join Gibson's Retail Development Team, to pursue the business closest to his heart - working with independents retailers to maximise the potential of their business.

Ian Doyle - Retail Development: Northern UK and Scotland

Ian has been working within the greeting card industry since around 1980.  He began his career in the retail sector with various newsagent and card multiples.  Having spent over 10 years at various levels of retail management he then joined Cardgains as Retail Development Manager.  Ian helped form the 'original' From the Heart concept from scratch and is ready to use his vast experience in conjunction with UKG and his new colleagues to progress the new From the Heart.

Jessica Wassell - Group Retail Development Administrator

Jessica started work at Gibson Greetings, now GHG, in September 1998 at the age of 16, as an Administrative Assistant.  She progressed into customer care where she was working when she was offered the position of Group Retail Development Administrator in September 2003.  Jess now co-ordinates all the admin on a daily basis for retail development projects and the RD team - Ron Bridger, Ian Doyle and Jon Morgan.  Jess feels that the From the Heart is an excellent concept for independent retailers and she is looking forward to being a part of UKG and Cardgains hitting their target of 200 From the Heart stores.